Powered pivot system for implement assembly

ABSTRACT

It is disclosed a powered pivot assembly for rotatably coupling an implement, e.g a plow blade, to an end of a frame assembly adapted to be driven by a vehicle. The powered pivot assembly is drivingly engaged with the frame assembly to rotate the implement about a generally vertical axis. The pivot assembly comprises an electric motor for causing rotation of the implement. It is also disclosed a pivotal plow system comprising a frame assembly having a first end adapted to be mounted to a vehicle; and an implement being coupled to a second end of the frame assembly and rotatable relative thereto about a generally vertical axis. The plow assembly comprises a pivot assembly drivingly engaged with the frame assembly and operable to rotate said plow assembly and blade. The pivot assembly comprises a motor for causing rotation of the plow assembly and blade about the generally vertical axis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to pivot assembly system for implement assemblies, and more specifically to powered actuated pivot assemblies for implement assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All-terrain vehicles (“ATV” or “ATVs”), utility-terrain vehicle (“UTV” or “UTVs”), and other similar vehicles, are often equipped with implements such as plows (or plough in English spelling) to allow the vehicles to displace any type of elements or objects, such as snow, dirt, soil, gravel, etc. Such implements are typically removably mounted to the vehicles via appropriate supporting frames or supporting frame assemblies. Such implements are typically pivoting in order to change the angle of the implement to angularly push elements. Current pivot systems for implements or plows on the market are typically bulky and support high loads. Such configurations are very expensive. In order to pivot, typical systems on the market use either electric and/or hydraulic system or a combination of planetary gears coupled to an electric motor which comprises a mechanical brake for absorbing energy in the event of an impact.

Thus, it is believed that there is a need for a new low cost pivot system using an reduced size actuator, typically an electric motor, to angularly turn the implement, wherein such system should comprise an mechanism to automatically trigger the turning of the implement while being user-friendly and by limiting the need of an operator to disembark from the vehicle to activate the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is disclosed a powered pivot system for turning an implement, moved by a vehicle without the need to get out of the vehicle.

It is disclosed a powered pivot assembly for rotatably coupling an implement, such as a plow blade, to an end of a frame assembly adapted to be driven by a vehicle, the powered pivot assembly being drivingly engaged with the frame assembly to rotate the implement about a generally vertical axis; the pivot assembly typically comprising an electric motor for causing rotation of the implement.

The invention is directed to a system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising:

-   -   a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising:         -   a first end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle; and         -   a second end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the             implement;     -   a pivoting system connected to the second end of the frame         assembly and to the implement; the pivoting system comprising:         -   a motor;         -   an endless rotating member operatively coupled to the motor;         -   a gear assembly engaged by the endless rotating member; and         -   an annular gear operatively engaged by the gear assembly;     -   the pivoting system being adapted to rotate the implement in         relation to the frame assembly about a substantially vertical         axis.

The invention is further directed to a system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising:

-   -   a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising:         -   a first end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle; and         -   a second end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the             implement;     -   a pivoting system, connected to the second end of the frame         assembly and to the implement; the pivoting system comprising:         -   a motor connected to the implement;         -   an endless rotating member operatively coupled to the motor,             and comprising a worm;         -   a gear assembly engaged by the endless rotating member; and         -   an annular gear, mounted to the second end of the frame             assembly and engaged by the gear assembly;     -   the gear assembly comprising:         -   a worm gear engaged by the worm; and         -   a spur gear operatively connected to the worm gear for             engaging the annular gear, the pivoting system being adapted             to rotate the implement in relation to the frame assembly             about a substantially vertical axis.

It is also disclosed a pivotal plow system comprising:

-   1) a frame assembly having a first end adapted to be mounted to a     vehicle; and -   2) an implement being coupled to a second end of the frame assembly     and rotatable relative thereto about a generally vertical axis, the     plow assembly also comprising a pivot assembly drivingly engaged     with the frame assembly and operable to rotate said plow assembly     and blade; the pivot assembly comprising a motor for causing     rotation of the plow assembly and blade about the generally vertical     axis.

It is also disclosed a method for pivoting an implement mounted to a vehicle, the method comprising the step of powering a motor drivingly engaged with the implement to rotate the implement about a generally vertical axis until a new position of the implement is reached.

Preferably, a small high RPM electrical motor is used to power the implement assembly. In such an embodiment, it may be required to lifting the plow blade from the ground to avoid contact. Therefore, the method disclosed herein may further comprise the steps of:

-   -   lifting the implement before the step of powering the motor to         rotate the implement, and     -   lowering the implement after the step of powering the motor to         rotate the implement until contact with the ground.

Preferably, the power is transmitted through a 3-stage planetary drive bolted directly on the motor. This combined motor/gearbox may then power a large worm that turns a worm gear. The worm gear may be on the same shaft as a spur gear that may be used as a “planet” gear while the push frame has the annular gear fixed to it. The rotation of the planet gear may make the planet to move from one side or the other.

Preferably, this system comprises planetary gearing in the 3 first stages to reduce the speed of a very small electrical motor, and then a worm gear drive is used for final reduction and for self-braking ability.

It's the first system designed this way. The main advantages are the following:

-   -   No need for a separate braking system. The self-braking feature         will work in both directions and at any position.     -   The only components that will dissipate force during an impact         (accident) are the worm, the worm gear and their support         brackets. The motor with planetary gearing and its support don't         need to be very strong because they are not taking a lot of         force.

This system is designed to allow the use of a very small electrical motor to get a low cost but is not limited to a small motor. It could be used with a high power motor as well because the gears are made to handle a lot of power.

This system is designed to be installed on the top of a pivot assembly to take a small space and not interfere with any parts of an ATV, but could be designed differently using the same mechanism but placed on the side of the push frame assembly.

Advantageously, if an impact occurs on the pivot, the force is stopped by the self-braking feature of the worm gear geometry.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood upon reading of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an implement pivot assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective close view of the implement pivot assembly illustrated on FIG. 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the implement pivot assembly illustrated on FIG. 2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top exploded view of the implement pivot assembly illustrated on FIG. 2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A novel automatic pivot system for an implement assembly will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

As illustrated on FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a pivotal implement system 100 is shown using a plow as the implement. The pivotal implement system 100 comprises a frame assembly or support frame 110 having a rear end 120 adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, such as a car, a truck, an ATV, an UTV or the like and a front end 130 configured to support an implement and a pivot system 200 allowing the front end 130 to pivot with regard to the rear end 120. In the present embodiment, the implement is a plow 210 of typical configuration. In that sense, it is to be understood that the support frame 110 would typically be used to support a plow 210. However, the support frame 110 is not limited to supporting a plow 210 and could therefore support other types of implements such as, but not limited to a shovel, a snowblower or the likes. In a preferred embodiment, the rear end 120 is attached to the frame of the vehicle.

The front end 130 further comprises a pivot assembly 200 configured to pivot the front 130 and the rear end 120 with regard to a generally vertical axis. The pivot assembly 200 is typically powered by an electric motor 230 coupled to a gearbox 232. In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor may be used at high revolutions per minute, has limited torque and has a compact size. The gearbox drivingly engaged with compatible portion of the front end to induce rotative movement to the implement around a generally vertical axis.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, a pivot system 200 to pivot an implement 210 in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown. The pivot system 200 typically comprises an electric motor 230, an endless rotating member 220 and a mechanism for inducing pivotal movement between the front end 130 and the rear end 120.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, in a preferred embodiment, the endless rotating member 220 typically comprises a 3-stage planetary drive 232 bolted directly on the shaft of the motor 230. The endless rotating member 220 further comprises an endless gear 240 such as a worm which engages with a gear assembly typically mounted on a shaft 260 through a gear, typically a worm gear. The gear assembly drivingly engages the annular gear 140 to produce a pivoting movement between the front end 130 and the rear end 120, as illustrated in FIG. 4 (see large arrows)

In a preferred embodiment, the motor 230 and the planetary drive 232 as illustrated on the Figures are directly connected one in the other connected to the endless rotating member 220. In a preferred embodiment, the planetary drive uses a multiple stage of planetary gears, typically three-stage. In other embodiments, a motor-gearbox assembly 230-232 commercially available may be used. The motor-gearbox assembly can be replaced by any type of lower revolution motor having a high torque. One skilled in the art shall understand that a motor having a larger volume or size may be used by adapting the frame to use such motor.

The motor powers the gearbox 232 and the endless rotating member 220 that comprises a worm 240. The worm then engages a worm gear 250 mounted on a shaft 260. The shaft is connected to a spur gear 270 that engages the annular gear 140 thereby inducing rotation of the implement.

This pivot system allows the implement to rotate an implement. The method for rotating the implement is therefore quite simple. The method comprises at least the steps of powering an electric motor drivingly engaged with the blade to rotate the plow blade about a generally vertical axis until a new position of the blade is reached.

The method for rotating an implement may further comprise a step to lift the implement from the ground to avoid contact (contact with the ground, the earth, the snow, any material or the like) if the implement is lowered. This step may be required if a motor having a limited torque or force is used as the friction of pivoting the implement requires an increased force. Also, the method may comprise the step of lowering the implement after the implement has been rotated to the desired position, and until contact with the ground for using the implement (e.g. the plow).

The powering of the electric motor may be triggered by any type of interface but typically a button wired to the electric motor. In other embodiments, the motor may comprise a module to be remotely activated using a RF remote controller, a portable device such as a smart phone, tablet or computer. The main advantage resides in the fact that the operator will not have to quit the vehicle to turn the blade. Also, the system is simple and only need a small electric motor to be activated, thus reducing the weight of the system.

The use of the endless rotating member 220, rather than a simple gearbox assembly, to transfer the power from the motor to the plow, does not require a braking or decelerating system to keep the pivot system in place when impacts hit the implement or any portion of the pivot system. Furthermore, there is no need to use a brake system for limiting the rotation of the plow when using an endless rotating member 220.

While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art. 

1) A system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising: a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising: a first end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle; and a second end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the implement; a pivoting system connected to the second end of the frame assembly and to the implement; the pivoting system comprising: a motor; an endless rotating member operatively coupled to the motor; a gear assembly engaged by the endless rotating member; and an annular gear operatively engaged by the gear assembly;  the pivoting system being adapted to rotate the implement in relation to the frame assembly about a substantially vertical axis. 2) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the endless rotating member comprises a worm and wherein the gear assembly further comprises: a worm gear engaged by the worm; and a spur gear operatively connected to the worm gear for engaging the annular gear. 3) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engagement of the worm with the worm gear is adapted to limit rotation of the implement when the motor is not in operation or when the motor is disengaged from the gear assembly. 4) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the endless rotating member further comprises a gear box drivingly connected to the motor and to the worm for increasing torque of the motor. 5) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the gear box is a multiple-stages planetary drive connected to a shaft of the motor. 6) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the multiple-stages planetary drive is a 3-stages planetary drive. 7) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the axis of the multiple-stages planetary drive, the axis of the worm and the axis of the shaft of the motor are substantially parallel. 8) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor. 9) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the system further comprises a button configured to trigger the electric motor. 10) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular gear is mounted to the frame assembly, and the motor is mounted to the implement. 11) A system for pivoting an implement, the system comprising: a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising: a first end adapted to be coupled to a vehicle; and a second end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the implement; a pivoting system, connected to the second end of the frame assembly and to the implement; the pivoting system comprising: a motor connected to the implement; an endless rotating member operatively coupled to the motor, and comprising a worm; a gear assembly engaged by the endless rotating member; and an annular gear, mounted to the second end of the frame assembly and engaged by the gear assembly;  the gear assembly comprising: a worm gear engaged by the worm; and a spur gear operatively connected to the worm gear for engaging the annular gear,  the pivoting system being adapted to rotate the implement in relation to the frame assembly about a substantially vertical axis. 12) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the engagement of the worm with the worm gear is adapted to limit rotation of the implement when the motor is not in operation or when the motor is disengaged from the gear assembly. 13) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the endless rotating member further comprises a gearbox drivingly connected to the motor and to the worm for increasing a torque of the motor. 14) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the gear box is a multiple-stages planetary drive connected to a shaft of the motor. 15) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the multiple-stages planetary drive is a 3-stages planetary drive. 16) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the axis of the multiple-stages planetary drive, the axis of the worm and the axis of the shaft of the motor are substantially parallel. 17) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the motor is an electric motor. 18) The system for pivoting an implement as claimed in claim 17, wherein the system further comprises a button configured to trigger the electric motor. 19) A method for rotating an implement, the method comprising the step of powering a motor that drivingly engages the implement for rotating the implement about a generally vertical axis until the implement is rotated from a first position to a second position. 20) The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: lifting the implement before the step of powering the motor to rotate the implement for minimizing a friction force between the implement and a ground, thus minimizing a required torque of the motor, and lowering the implement after the step of powering the motor to rotate the implement until the implement contacts the ground. 21) The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the step of powering the motor comprises using a 3-stages planetary drive for increasing torque of the motor. 